One-piece dispenser cap and childproof actuator

ABSTRACT

A one-piece molded plastic dispenser cap and actuator assembly is provided for a valved aerosol dispenser having an axially projecting valve stem on one end, wherein the actuator is an elongated arm hinged to a side wall of the cap. The arm has a valve stem receiving hub adjacent its free end on its underside with an internal passage connecting the hub to a discharge orifice in the face of the arm. Wings integrally and resiliently hinged to the face flank the hub and have finger receiving tabs thereon. Projections on the bottom of the wings are disposed immediately above the pedestal housing the valve assembly when the wings are in their normal inwardly biased condition to prevent downward movement of the free end. When a child presses down on the free end of the arm his finger is not wide enough to span the tabs and force the wings apart. Consequently, the child cannot dispense the product from the can. Conversely, when an adult presses down on the free end of the arm, the sides of his finger spread the tabs and the wings apart thereby clearing the projections of the pedestal so as to allow the free end of the arm to be depressed and the valve to be actuated. When pressure is released from the free end of the arm, the arm returns to its normal raised position and the wings return to their normal closer position in which the projections are directly above the pedestal in which they prevent a child from depressing the actuator arm.

nite

Sette States atent [191 1 ONE-PIECE DISPENSER CAP AND CHILDPROOF ACTUATOR [76] Inventor: James J. Sette, 5 Hilltop Circle,

Brookside, NJ. 07926 22 Filed: Feb. 24, 1975 21 Appl. No.: 552,186

Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerJohn P. Shannon Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kirschstein, Kirschstein, Ottinger & Frank [57] ABSTRACT A one-piece molded plastic dispenser cap and actuator assembly is provided for a valved aerosol dispenser Oct. 21, 1975 having an axially projecting valve stem on one end, wherein the actuator is an elongated arm hinged to a side wall of the cap. The arm has a valve stem receiving hub adjacent its free end on its underside with an internal passage connecting the hub to a discharge orifice in the face of the arm. Wings integrally and resiliently hinged to the face flank the hub and have finger receiving tabs thereon. Projections on the bottom of the wings are disposed immediately above the pedestal housing the valve assembly when the wings are in their normal inwardly biased condition to prevent downward movement of the free end. When a child presses down on the free end of the arm his finger is not wide enough to span the tabs and force the wings apart. Consequently, the child cannot dispense the product from the can. Conversely, when an adult presses down on the free end of the arm, the sides of his finger spread the tabs and the wings apart thereby clearing the projections of the pedestal so as to allow the free end of the arm to be depressed and the valve to be actuated. When pressure is released from the free end of the arm, the arm returns to its normal raised position and the wings return to their normal closer position in which the projections are directly above the pedestal in which they prevent a child from depressing the actuator arm.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 1 012 3,913,805

2 l i/6.] 3d 55 US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,913,805

ONE-PIECE DISPENSER CAP AND CHILDPROOF ACTUATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a dispenser cap for an aerosol container, and more particularly, to an integrated molded plastic dispenser cap and valve operating childproof actuator.

2. Description of the Prior Art One of the major problems concerning aerosol dispensers is that of unwanted actuation by a child. There has been a long felt need to provide a closure device which facilitates authorized intentional adult dispensing of the fluid contents while preventing operation by a child.

It is of paramount importance to make it difficult if not impossible for children who may have access to aerosol dispenser containers, particularly in the home, to operate the dispenser. Since many of the products sold in aerosol cans include cleaning fluids, paints, lubricants, and various extermination compounds, many of which are toxic or can cause severe burns when coming in contact with the skin, the actuator on the aerosol desirably is provided with means which will prevent a small child from discharging the contents of the container and yet is easily disengagable for use by an adult.

Several childproof actuators have been designed with the above-mentioned objects in mind. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,786,968 to Ewald which discloses an adaptor having a pair of spaced finger guides attached thereto. Each guide has a locking ledge which engages the button actuator to prevent actuation of the dispenser when it is in the locked position. The spaced separation of the finger guides is such that an adult finger inserted therebetween moves the finger guides outward, shifting the locking ledges out of operative engagement with the button actuator and thereby permitting vertical depression of the button actuator for actuation. Upon lifting the finger from between the finger guides the locking ledges are biased'back to their locked position. In this device, the finger guides are spaced apart sufficiently so that a child's finger cannot contact both finger guides simultaneously. Therefore, the button actuator cannot be depressed. While this device discloses a simple means for preventing depression of the button actuator by a child, it requires the manufacture of a cap with finger guides and a separate button depressor, in addition to the button actuator, three pieces in all. The locking ledges and cooperating notches in the button depressor must be manufactured and installed accurately in order that the parts can operationally engaged. In addition, the cap in which the finger guides are formed can be easily removed, leaving the child-operable button actuator and thereby defeating the purpose of the invention.

Another prior art device comprises an over cap having a passageway with an actuator assembly shiftable therein. The actuator assembly has two wings formed therein which in their normal position are directly above the top of the valve pedestal, preventing the actuator from being depressed to actuate the valve. When the wings are separated due to the pressure of an adult's finger pressing down on the actuator assembly, the wings are displaced outwardly, allowing the actuator to be depressed so as to actuate the valve. The wings are so mutually spaced alongside the actuator that a child cannot simultaneously separate the wings and depress the actuator assembly. The actuator has a hub with a central bore that telescopes over the valve stem. The valve stem has an annular groove engaged by an annular ledge in the bore wall to secure the actuator to the valve stem. The actuator is not connected to the cap. Moreover, the actuator includes a separate orifice member affixed thereto. As with the Ewald device, the

cost of manufacture of this device is extremely high,

since three separate pieces must be made. In addition, it requires a special and, therefore, altered configuration of valve stem. It is toward elimination of these problems that the present invention is directed.

Moreover, dispenser caps associated with actuators and including arrangements which inhibit operation of the actuators by children are sold in the millions annually. The demand for them constantly is increasing as society tends toward removing the possibility of children being subjected to toxic or otherwise harmful or dangerous chemicals. Caps and associated actuators conventionally are made of synthetic thermoplastic materials and are formed by molding, usually injection molding, since this process lends itself to low cost mass production. But because the technique and the equipment for injection molding are widespread and commonly known and because the market for these caps and actuators is so large, competition is fierce so that the costs for making such items and mounting them on aerosol containers are a major factor. Tiny reductions in the cost of making them and the cost of installing them can and often do result in replacement of the supplier. Accordingly, considerable skill, time, and effort has been expended by large industrial concerns to design the caps and actuators in a manner such as to lower their cost and reduce the expense of securing them on aerosol containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a unique one-piece dispensing cap and childproof actuator, which can be operated by an adult and which cannot be operated by a child.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a one-piece dispenser cap with childproof actuator which overcomes all the foregoing drawbacks.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a one-piece dispenser cap and childproof actuator wherein the dispensing cap cannot easily be removed from the dispensing can.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a one-piece dispenser cap and childproof actuator wherein the actuator has more surface area to receive downward pressure resulting in more ease in spraying.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a one-piece dispenser cap and childproof actuator which can be manufactured in mass production at a considerably lower cost than currently available and previously proposed caps and childproof actuators.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a one-piece dispenser cap and childproof actuator which is easily mounted on the dispensing can, at a considerably lower cost than currently available and previously proposed caps and childproof actuators.

Generally speaking, the foregoing and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a one-piece molded plastic dispensing cap and actuator assembly for a conventional (unaltered) valved aerosol dispensing can having an axially projecting valve stem wherein the actuator is an elongated arm integrally resiliently hinged to the side wall of the dispenser cap. The arm has a free end with a face and a hub that is adjacent the face and is adapted to operatively engage the valve stem. The hub has an internal passage connecting the hub to a discharge orifice in the face. Integrally formed behind the face, flanking the hub are, inwardly biased wings, having sloped tabs which will engage the sides of an adults finger as it presses down on the free end of the arm. Projections from the wings are located directly above the pedestal. When the free end of the arm is de' pressed by a childs finger, the projections prevent the downward movement thereof. Conversely, when an adult presses down on the free end, his finger bears against both tabs, spreading the wings, which results in the projections clearing the pedestal so as to allow the free end to be pressed downward enough to open the aerosol valve. Upon removal of the pressure, the actuator arm is biased back to its normal position. Simultaneously, the wings are biased back to their normal position bringing the projections directly above the pedestal.

Still further objects of the invention in part will be obvious and in part will become apparent in the following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an aerosol dispenser including a dispensing cap and actuator, the actuator being shown in locked position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 3 showing a childs finger in position on the actuator;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing an adults finger in position on the actuator and the resulting depression of the actuator;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the actuator arm showing the outward displacement of the tabs in phantom lines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the drawings, an aerosol dispenser embodying the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and is identified generally by the reference numeral 10. The aerosol dispenser 10 comprises a container 12 for enclosing a product and propellant under pressure. It has a valve assembly 14 secured to the domed upper wall 15 of the container. The valve assembly is enclosed within the valve housing, i.e., pedestal 16. The domed upper wall 15 is fastened to the container 12 along an annular rib seam 18 that constitutes a chime. The tubular valve stem 20 projects axially upward. The stem is biased upwardly by a spring (not shown) in the valve assembly. When the stem is depressed it opens the valve to discharge an aerosol prod not through the stem.

The container and valve arrangement hereinabove described are conventional and any form of valve having a tubular stem which when reciprocated axially will open and close the valve to allow the product under pressure to discharge through the same may be employed.

Secured to the upper end of the container 12 is a onepiece molded plastic dispenser cap body 22 embodying the present invention. The dispenser cap 22 has a side wall 24 and a top wall 26. The dispenser cap 22 is locked to the container 12 by a retaining lip 28 on the lower edge of the side wall 24 which is caught beneath the annular rib seam 18. The side wall 24 of the dispensing cap 22 constitutes a generally smooth extension of the side wall of the container 12.

A flared-hyperboloidal opening 30 is formed by a reentrant surface 32 which intersects the side wall 24 and which is capped by the bottom surface 34 of the top wall 26.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the top wall 26 includes a hyperboloidal opening 36 having the general outline of the tip of a finger, wherein the childproof actuator hereinafter described in detail is disposed. The opening 36 has a closed front face and has a rear mouth. There is formed in the side wall 22 an upwardly recessed opening 38 opposite the flared opening 30. A generally L-shaped actuator arm 40 has its top leg located in the hyperboloidal opening 36 and is hingedly joined along the bottom edge 42 of its vertical leg to the side wall 24 of the dispenser cap 22. The thickness of the actuator arm 40 is small enough at the edge 42 to enable the arm to flex thereat transversely of top wall 26. The top leg of the arm 40 is molded parallel to the top wall 26 (see FIG. 3) so that this is its idle position to which it is biased when said leg is depressed.

At the free end 44 of the actuator arm 40 is a vertical face 46 complementing the flared opening 30 and having a discharge orifice 48 therein. As seen in FIG. 3, the discharge orifice 48 is not formed in an orifice plate inserted in the actuator arm. Behind the face 46 extending downward from the bottom surface 50 of the actuator arm 40 is a hub 52 having a bore 54 in communication with the discharge orifice 48. The hub 52 is adapted to slidingly engage the tubular valve stem 20 as shown in FIG. 3 by means of a socket 56, when the dispenser cap is mounted to the container 12. The seat 57 is forced against the top of the valve stem 20 when the actuator arm is depressed to depress the valve stem. The engagement between the lip 28 and chime 18 is relied upon to hold the cap to the container.

To prevent operation of the aerosol dispenser by a child, a control means integrally formed with the actuator arm is provided which is adapted to prevent the activation of the actuator arm 40 by a finger of less than a predetermined width. A childs fingers which are substantially narrower than an adults will be unable to activate the actuator arm and will be prevented from discharging the product from the aerosol dispenser.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 two vertical rearwardly extending wings 58 and 60 flank hub 52 and are hingedly connected along their front edges 62 and 64 respectively to the face 46 for rotation about vertical axes. The wings are set into notches at the front of the side edges of the actuator arm. The thickness of the hinge connections joining the wings to the face 46 are small enough to enable the wings to flex outwardly from their as-molded positions shown in the various figures to the phantom positions shown in FIG. 8.

The wings are provided with vertical tabs 66 and 68 which rise above the top surface of the actuator arm 40 to form upwardly, outwardly-inclined finger receiving camming surfaces. Abutment means are located on the bottoms of the wings to selectively engage the top of the pedestal 16. These means constitute tits 70, 72 projecting downwardly from the bottom of the wings. The bottoms of the tits are situated directly above and close to the top 19 of the pedestal 16. The wings 58 and 60 are biased to and normally in their as-molded positions above the top of the pedestal 16 to prevent downward movement of the free end 44 of the resilient actuator arm 40, unless the wings are spread apart enough to clear the pedestal.

When a child presses downwardly on the free end of the actuator arm in an attempt to discharge the product from the aerosol dispenser, he will be unable to activate the valve. As shown in FIG. 6, the childs finger is not wide enough to press against both tabs 66 and 68, so as to spread them. As the child tries to press down on the free end 44 the tits 70 and 72 are forced against the pedestal 16 to prevent sufficient downward movement of the free end to open the dispensing valve.

Conversely, when an adult presses down on the freeend, his finger is of such a width that its sides engage both tabs 66 and 68 as shown in FIG. 7, displacing the wings 58 and 60 outwardly as shown by the arrows 80 and 82 in FIGS. 7 and 8. This causes the tits 70, 72 to clear the pedestal 16. The free end of the resilient actuator arm 40 then can be pressed down resulting in the discharge of product.

When the finger is lifted off the free end 44 the actuator arm 40 returns to its normal position. The wings 58 and 60 likewise are returned to their normal positions bringing the tits 70 and 72 back above the top of the pedestal 16.

It can be seen from the foregoing detailed description that the objects of the present invention, namely to create a one-piece dispenser cap and childproof actuator have been achieved by providing an elongated arm hinged for rotation about a horizontal axis to the side wall of the dispenser cap having a pendent valve stem receiving hub adjacent its free end. The hub has an internal passage connecting it to the discharge orifice in the face of the arm. Wings integrally hinged to the face for rotation about vertical axes flank the hub and have finger receiving camming tabs thereon. Projections on the bottoms of the wings are in their normal as-molded position prevent downward movement of the free end. When the wings are spread apart by a finger of the proper width being pressed there against, the projections are shifted outwardly to clear the pedestal and the free end of the arm can be moved downwardly. When the arm returns to its normal as-molded position, the projections are again brought above the pedestal to prevent the actuator arm from being depressed sufficiently for actuation by a child.

The molding of all parts of the cap-actuator as a single piece very substantially reduces the cost of making and mounting the childproof device.

What is claimed is:

1. A one-piece molded plastic dispenser cap and childproof actuator for an aerosol dispenser container having a valve assembly mounted in a pedestal, which assembly includes an upwardly extending hollow valve stem projecting from the pedestal and which upon depression passes product from the dispenser therethrough, said cap and actuator comprising:

a. a cap body having a side wall and a top wall, a portion of said side wall having a re-entrant surface intersecting the top wall and providing an opening for spray discharge of aerosol product therethrough;

b. means on said side wall for securing said cap to said aerosol dispenser container;

an elongated actuator arm integrally formed within said cap body, said elongated actuator arm being resiliently hinged at one end to said side wall for rotation about a horizontal axis diametrically opposite said opening, said actuator arm being free at its opposite end for flexural movement transversely of said top wall;

d. said actuator arm having an exposed vertical face at its free end and a discharge orifice in said face, said face being situated behind and being in registry with said opening in said side wall;

e. a hub pendent from the underside of said actuator arm adjacent its free end, said hub having a vertical socket for fitted reception of the valve stem;

f. internal conduit means in said hub connecting said discharge orifice to said socket; and

g. control means on said actuator arm integrally formed with said face, said means adapted to prevent the actuation of the actuator arm by a finger having less than a predetermined width.

2. A dispenser cap in accordance with claim 1 wherein said control means comprises:

a. a pair of wings, each wing being resiliently joined at one end to said face for rotation about a vertical axis;

b. abutment means on said wings located slightly above and adapted to selectively bear against the top of said pedestal;

c. finger receiving tabs integrally formed with said wings projecting above said actuator arm to receive the sides of a finger of at least a predetermined width as said finger presses down on said free end, said wings being laterally spread apart thereby to displace said abutment means from above to the sides of said pedestal and thereby allowing said free end to be depressed in order to discharge product from said aerosol dispenser, said wings being normally biased toward said hub so that when a finger is removed from said actuator arm, said wings re turn to said normal position thereby bringing said abutment means back above said pedestal.

3. A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 2 wherein said abutment means comprises downwardly extending tits on said wings. 

1. A one-piece molded plastic dispenser cap and childproof actuator for an aerosol dispenser container having a valve assembly mounted in a pedestal, which assembly includes an upwardly extending hollow valve stem projecting from the pedestal and which upon depression passes product from the dispenser therethrough, said cap and actuator comprising: a. a cap body having a side wall and a top wall, a portion of said side wall having a re-entrant surface intersecting the top wall and providing an opening for spray discharge of aerosol product therethrough; b. means on said side wall for securing said cap to said aerosol dispenser container; c. an elongated actuator arm integrally formed within said cap body, said elongated actuator arm being resiliently hinged at one end to said side wall for rotation about a horizontal axis diametrically opposite said opening, said actuator arm being free at its opposite end for flexural movement transversely of said top wall; d. said actuator arm having an exposed vertical face at its free end and a discharge orifice in said face, said face being situated behind and being in registry with said oPening in said side wall; e. a hub pendent from the underside of said actuator arm adjacent its free end, said hub having a vertical socket for fitted reception of the valve stem; f. internal conduit means in said hub connecting said discharge orifice to said socket; and g. control means on said actuator arm integrally formed with said face, said means adapted to prevent the actuation of the actuator arm by a finger having less than a predetermined width.
 2. A dispenser cap in accordance with claim 1 wherein said control means comprises: a. a pair of wings, each wing being resiliently joined at one end to said face for rotation about a vertical axis; b. abutment means on said wings located slightly above and adapted to selectively bear against the top of said pedestal; c. finger receiving tabs integrally formed with said wings projecting above said actuator arm to receive the sides of a finger of at least a predetermined width as said finger presses down on said free end, said wings being laterally spread apart thereby to displace said abutment means from above to the sides of said pedestal and thereby allowing said free end to be depressed in order to discharge product from said aerosol dispenser, said wings being normally biased toward said hub so that when a finger is removed from said actuator arm, said wings return to said normal position thereby bringing said abutment means back above said pedestal.
 3. A dispensing cap in accordance with claim 2 wherein said abutment means comprises downwardly extending tits on said wings. 